KATHMANDU, JANUARY 11
Authorities concerned of the three districts in Kathmandu valley have put a restriction on gathering of more than 25 people in public places to curb the rising cases of COV- ID-19. The restriction will come into force from midnight today.
The decision taken today by a joint meeting of chief district officers of Kathmandu, Bhaktapur, and Lalitpur stated that gatherings, carnivals, functions, social meetings, or political programmes with the participation of more than 25 people would not be allowed.
The authorities have decided to make vaccination cards mandatory for entering hotels, restaurants, public offices, airports, cinema halls, and stadiums, among others, from January 21. The photo of the vaccination card on a mobile phone will also be valid. Service seekers should also show the card to get government services from January 21.
Moreover, authorities have provisioned for vaccination of children aged 12-17 by setting up vaccination booths in the valley within a week.
They have also asked district health offices to coordinate with local levels and prepare an action plan to inoculate schoolchildren against COVID within a week.
DHOs have also been asked to prepare necessary infrastructure to deal with possible outbreak of COVID-19, including setting up antigen test booths at public places and conducting such tests for free on a regular basis.
Following yesterday's decision of the Ministry of Education, Science, and, Technology the three CDOs also cancelled physical classes in all schools until January 29. The pre-scheduled examinations, however, will be allowed as long as students sit in a Z-shaped seating arrangement.
Heads of government offices where people tend to gather more for services have been told not to let more than 25 people gather at a place. Private or government buildings that were used as 'COV- ID-19 treatment centres' and 'isolation centres' will be reused in that capacity after ensuring proper health safety measures.
Hospitals, health centres, and industries have to maintain adequate stock of oxygen cylinders.
Public vehicles have been barred from carrying more passengers than the number of seats, and told to make wearing of masks and sanitisation of vehicles mandatory.
Industries have been told to follow health protocols. The authorities concerned have also been asked to ensure smooth supply of medicines and medical equipment.
Security agencies have been told to ensure mandatory use of masks among the general public and to take action against violators as per the Infectious Diseases Act-2020.
A version of this article appears in the print on January 12, 2022, of The Himalayan Times.
